Tag: Leeds

USMNT star Brenden Aaronson to join Leeds United

The USMNT’s Premier League contingent just got bigger.

Brenden Aaronson has expanded the American contingent at Leeds United, as the USMNT attacker will officially join Jesse Marsch’s side when the summer transfer window opens.

Aaronson’s transfer, a $30 million move from Red Bull Salzburg, has long been rumored, but appeared to be contingent on Leeds surviving in the Premier League. With that issue settled in dramatic fashion, Aaronson and both clubs could proceed with the transfer.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be here at this historic club, I am really excited for the new season,” Aaronson said. “I think it was around Christmas or January that I could see there was some interest and hearing about Leeds United being interested, it was a huge moment for me and I was super excited.”

Aaronson has played for Marsch previously, as the two overlapped at Salzburg for half a season after the young attacker made the jump to Europe from the Philadelphia Union. “The way Jesse wants to play, I learned a lot about the system and flourished under that system, so I am really excited to get back into it again,” said Aaronson.

Leeds director of football Victor Orta called Aaronson “the perfect player fit for us,” adding that the club feels “he will improve the squad and we are really happy, it is very difficult to find a young player of this level, especially with Champions League experience.”

Speaking to the club’s site, Marsch praised Aaronson’s work rate, and said that he feels the 21-year-old New Jersey native “adapts very well to tactical ideas and levels of play and his mentality is to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed.”

It’s a big summer for a move for Aaronson, who is very much in the reckoning for a place in the USMNT World Cup squad later this year. Per FBref, Aaronson played more minutes (654) than any other forward for Gregg Berhalter, scoring twice and adding an assist in 11 total appearances.

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Jesse Marsch: ‘The media in England is so ridiculous!’

The American head coach has said that there has been prejudice against him due to his accent and background

Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch has charged that the media in England is “so ridiculous,” accusing some of harboring “prejudice” against him because he is American.

Marsch and Leeds managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the Premier League season, defeating Brentford 2-1 to secure their status in the top flight.

After taking over from Marcelo Bielsa in February, Marsch – who began the season as RB Leipzig head coach before he was sacked – led Leeds to 1.25 points per game, an improvement from 0.88 under Bielsa on the season.

But Marsch has said he’s had to battle prejudicial attitudes in England since his arrival as only the second American head coach in Premier League history.

“We can call it whatever you want, xenophobia or whatever, but it’s a form of prejudice,” Marsch said on “The Football Show” on SiriusXM FC.

“Some people don’t allow that kind of behavior to happen and will treat me based on what I am or what our team is, and that’s ultimately what it should be,” Marsch added.

“But it’s frankly ridiculous that they don’t like to hear an American accent in their sport in their country. It’s horrible, right? But I’m OK with it. I can handle it. And there’s nothing happening like that inside our team – actually the total opposite. We have total belief. We have commitment where the guys I think have responded really well to my leadership style. They like the type of football that we’re playing. I’m a big communicator, so I try to engage everybody to make everybody feel part of what we’re doing.”

‘The media in England is so ridiculous!’

Marsch recalled a press conference he gave after Leeds lost 4-0 to Manchester City in April, during which he attempted to put a positive spin on a heavy defeat.

“After the match I said in the press conference that in many ways it was a win, and people over here, they go crazy, right? The media in England is so ridiculous!” Marsch said.

“Any one thing that the American says, they want to just jump on and they want to then ridicule and find holes. Whatever, I don’t care, I’m not changing who I am. I’m going to be the leader that I want to be and I’m going to work hard with the group that I work with, and we’re going to find ways to grow and get better and succeed and that’s what we did.”

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Jesse Marsch, Leeds stay up amid Premier League final day drama

Leeds made it difficult, but they’re staying in the Premier League

Jesse Marsch and Leeds survived, staving off Premier League relegation by defeating Brentford 2-1 on the tension-filled final day of the Premier League season.

Leeds made it difficult, letting a lead dissolve while Burnley made a desperate push to get level against Newcastle, but ultimately a stoppage-time goal from Jack Harrison just seconds before full time between Burnley and Newcastle kept Leeds in the Premier League.

Both teams came into the final day of the season on 35 points, with Leeds carrying the distinct disadvantage of a goal difference that was 20 worse (-38 to Burnley’s -18). That left Burnley, who were hosting Newcastle, a simple task: match or better Leeds’ result at Brentford, avoid losing by 20 goals, and safety would be assured.

Callum Wilson’s 20th minute penalty put Newcastle ahead, and after halftime Marsch and Leeds added to the advantage, as a 56th minute penalty from Raphinha gave them the lead.

Wilson struck again for Newcastle on the hour mark, giving Leeds even more of a cushion, but Maxwel Cornet replied in the 69th minute to bring a nervous Burnley crowd back to life. Sergi Canos then struck an equalizer for Brentford that survived a VAR check, leaving Leeds just one goal (by Burnley or Brentford) from relegation.

Burnley went inches from an equalizer two separate occasions as they threw everything at Newcastle, but Harrison’s goal four minutes into stoppage time removed any doubt, with Leeds coming back for another season in the top flight.

Marsch, the second American to be named the manager of a Premier League club, took over at Leeds at the end of February. He took the job with Leeds two points clear of the relegation zone and 12 games left to play, but with both Burnley and Everton holding two games in hand. Leeds at one point climbed nine points clear, but then picked up just two points from five games heading into the last day.

However, Burnley won three straight in late April, and with Everton taking 10 points from five games—including Wednesday’s stunning comeback that guaranteed their safety—setting up the final day drama.

That said, the results did improve once Marsch took over for legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa. Leeds picked up 0.88 points-per-game under Bielsa, while they posted a 1.25 rate once Marsch took charge.

Watch Leeds celebrate their survival

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Christian Pulisic put Jesse Marsch and Leeds in even bigger relegation trouble

It was the first time an American player scored against an American coach in the Premier League

There was some American-on-American violence in the Premier League on Wednesday, with Christian Pulisic profiting at Jesse Marsch’s expense.

Marsch’s Leeds side is in serious danger of relegation, and they faced a difficult task when Chelsea came to Elland Road on Wednesday.

That task was made much more difficult within the game’s first 24 minutes. After Mason Mount gave Chelsea the lead in the fourth minute, Dan James was shown a straight red card for a horrendous challenge on Mateo Kovacic.

Ten minutes into the second half, Pulisic put the game all but out of 10-man Leeds’ reach. Mount found Pulisic with a lay-off at the top of the box, and the American calmly slotted home with his left foot to make it 2-0.

It was Pulisic’s sixth Premier League goal of the season and eighth in all competitions. The goal was also the first time an American player had scored against an American coach in the Premier League.

Chelsea would comfortably win the match 3-0, leaving Leeds in 18th place, the final relegation position. With two games to play, Leeds is even on points with 17th-place Burnley, but the Clarets have three games left to play and a far superior goal differential to Leeds.

Watch Pulisic’s goal for Chelsea

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Oklahoma Sooners receive crystal ball projection for 2024 4-star DL Kavion Henderson

In the wake of the Oklahoma Sooners spring game, OU received a crystal ball projection for 2024 4-star defensive lineman Kavion Henderson.

In the wake of 75,000 strong showing up to support the launch of a new era of Oklahoma football, the Sooners are seeing their spring game efforts pay off on the recruiting trail.

The Sooners received favorable predictions for Kaleb Spencer and Mario Craver, and they’ve also received a prediction to land four-star defensive lineman Kavion Henderson out of Leeds, Alabama.

On Sunday, Parker Thune of OUInsider and 247Sports issued a crystal ball prediction for the Sooners to land the highly regarded defensive line prospect from the heart of SEC country.

According to Rivals, Henderson ranks as a top-20 prospect and is inside the top 100 in the 247Sports composite. With Todd Bates and Brent Venables leading the way, Henderson is a priority target for the 2024 recruiting class.

The new defensive staff prioritized defensive line talent upon their arrival to Norman. And from their time at Clemson, they have the track record to pitch to prospects looking to make the jump to the college level with aspirations of playing in the NFL. No team in college football had more sacks and tackles for loss over the last decade than Clemson with Venables at the helm. Venables’ defenses have sent several defensive line talents to the NFL.

The track record speaks for itself.

Henderson has the makings of a great player at the next level. He has a great frame that he knows how to use when engaging blockers. Henderson attacks blockers off the snap and scans the play. His strength allows him to disengage to rush the passer or set the edge in the run game. He does a great job of stringing the play out on wide runs to make the tackle for loss. When teams throw wide receiver screens, he does a great job at keeping contain and not letting the player cut back inside. He has good instincts to read when teams are looking to throw screen passes.

Off the edge as a pass rusher was regularly double teamed but bull-rushed his way through the double team to get the sack. He’s never out of a play and doesn’t give up even if he’s initially slowed on his rush. He’s a patient rusher that will keep working to get through the double team.

Henderson displays a good bull rush and pull-rip on his pass rush and takes excellent angles. He continues to pursue after the quarterback moves in the pocket to avoid the rush, often creating pressure or getting the sack after doubling back on the QB.

As a sophomore, he’s already an incredibly talented player that would add a great deal to the Oklahoma Sooners’ defensive line down the road.

The only other crystal ball on Henderson comes from Arkansas Insider Danny West from March of this year. Henderson must have come away impressed from his time in Norman for Thune to issue a counter prediction following the Sooners’ spring game.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine has Georgia, Auburn and Ole Miss as the leaders for Henderson, though that listing may not have been updated to reflect his visit to Norman.

It’s early in the cycle, but this bodes well as Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners prepare for their future home in the SEC.

Kavion Henderson’s Recruiting Profile

Crystal Ball

Film

Oklahoma Sooners offer 2024 defensive lineman Kavion Henderson out of Alabama

The Oklahoma Sooners offered 2024 defensive lineman Kavion Henderson out of Leeds, Alabama.

The Oklahoma Sooners are hosting the first of two junior days in March this weekend in Norman. While the juniors step to the forefront this weekend, Oklahoma’s defensive line coaches Todd Bates (defensive tackles) and Miguel Chavis (defensive ends) have been putting in work with the 2024 class.

The latest offer goes out to defensive lineman Kavion Henderson out of Leeds, Ala. Henderson played primarily on the edge for Leeds and was a disruptive player as a stand-up rusher or with his hand in the dirt.

Henderson displays good play strength, often pushing the tackle back into the play. He’s quick off the snap to engage the blocker but diagnoses the play quickly and works down the line on dive plays or maintains leverage on wide runs to his side of the field.

Whether taking on one or two blockers, Henderson is a disciplined player, showing good gap integrity, pursuit ability, and will chase down plays when he’s well out of the action.

He’s a physical player that will try to punish his opponent. He tackles a bit high too regularly, but because he’s so physically dominating, he doesn’t have to tackle with leverage. Though he may tackle around the chest and shoulders, he consistently wraps up the ball carrier to drive them to the ground.

Even as a sophomore, Henderson has a lot of tools that will make whichever school he decides to play his college ball at very happy. It’s still early in the 2024 cycle, so Henderson hasn’t been rated yet, but based on early returns, he’ll likely start the cycle as a four-star player.

Vitals

Hometown Leeds, Ala.
Projected Position DL
Height 6-3
Weight 240 lbs

Recruitment

  • Offered on March 4, 2022

Notable Offers

  • Oklahoma
  • Auburn
  • Georgia
  • Michigan
  • Michigan State
  • Oregon
  • Tennessee
  • USC

Film

via Hudl

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Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe issued straight red card for headbutting Leeds player

Pepe was dismissed after headbutting Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski in the second half, and Arsenal fans were furious.

Arsenal was somehow hanging on in their Sunday match against Leeds, maintaining a 0-0 tie despite giving Leeds all sorts of chances in the first half.

The team could have been buoyed by such a thing — it’s always nice when the other team fails to punish you for playing poorly, and Arsenal would have looked to turn the match around and capitalize on their luck in the second half.

Then five minutes into the second half their winger Nicolas Pepe was given a straight red card for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski on Leeds, and welp, there goes your second half right there.

Here’s the headbutt:

It’s unclear what set Pepe off, and while Alioski certainly made a meal of it, you really just aren’t allowed to headbutt guys. That’s in the rules and everything. Zinedine Zidane famously did it, and he let down a whole country when he did it.

Anyway, good luck in the remaining minutes of the match, Arsenal.

MLS: Goalkeeper gets red-carded in confusing, dramatic penalty shootout

Charles Barkley to sell memorabilia to fund an affordable housing project in Alabama

Charles Barkley collected some significant hardware throughout his 16-year NBA career, but he says he’s going to put it all up for sale to make improvements to his hometown.

Charles Barkley collected some significant hardware throughout his 16-year NBA career, but he says he’s going to put it all up for sale to make improvements to his hometown.

Shakur Stevenson likely to face Miguel Marriaga: report

Shakur Stevenson is headed to his first featherweight title defense against Miguel Marriaga, according to the Athletic.

Fresh off his title-winning effort last October, featherweight Shakur Stevenson wasted no time calling out Josh Warrington for a unification bout.

Turns out that matchup will likely have to wait.

The 22-year-old southpaw from Newark, New Jersey is projected to face Miguel Marriaga at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre in New York, perhaps on March 14, according to The Athletic.

The news arrives after Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he would present Stevenson’s handlers – James Prince and Andre Ward – with two offers for the spring: either a Warrington fight, in Leeds, England, Warrington’s hometown, or main event at MSG.

Encouraging signs that a deal would get done seems to have given way to acrimony, as Stevenson and Warrington engaged in a small spat on social media recently. Stevenson, in particular, hinted that money issues were at play. 

https://twitter.com/ShakurStevenson/status/1211017306484150273

https://twitter.com/ShakurStevenson/status/1212576847004938240

Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) outpointed Joet G26.onzalez to win a vacant 126-pound title on Oct.

Marriaga (29-3, 25 KOs), a hard-hitting and durable Columbian journeyman, has reeled off four consecutive wins since notching back-to-back losses to Oscar Valdez and Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Josh Warrington: ‘Negotiations have started’ for Shakur Stevenson fight

Josh Warrington, IBF featherweight titleholder, has confirmed that talks have begun for a unification with WBO titlist Shakur Stevenson.

The boxing world could benefit from more title-unification fights and a highly attractive one might be in the works for 2020.

Josh Warrington said that talks have begun for a unification fight with fellow featherweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson.

“I know that negotiations have started,” Warrington said in an interview with BoxingScene.com.

The 29-year-old Warrington, a big draw in his native Leeds, won a portion of the featherweight crown by outpointing Lee Selby in May of last year. He has successfully defended his belt three times, against Carl Frampton, Kid Galahad and most recently Sofiane Takoucht, whom he knocked out in two rounds.

Stevenson, 22, picked up another 126-pound title last month in a dominating points victory over Joet Gonzalez. That title had been vacated by Oscar Valdez.

“He’s a young lad,” Warrington (30-0, 7 knockouts) said of Newark’s Stevenson. “He has a lot of people around him who are going to build his confidence up. I did say to him, ‘Win a title and we’ll talk,’ so he has won a title and we’ll see what happens.”

For his part, Stevenson has been actively campaigning for a fight with Warrington on social media.

The fight would be a classic example of the bull vs. the matador, with Warrington applying his customary torrid pressure and Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) working clinically behind his jab and sharp counters.

Both Stevenson and Warrington are promoted by Top Rank (Warrington is co-promoted by Frank Warren), so there are none of the typical promotional or network impediments standing in the way.